Experimental wind-tunnel study of the dynamics of inverted foils for energy harvesting

Abstract This paper describes the methodology used to analyse oscillations of foils of a wide range of aspect ratios, 0.5 ≤ AR ≤ 4, and Reynolds numbers, 10 4 ≤ Re ≤ 10 5 , for energy harvesting purposes. The foils were fixed at their trailing edge, and their dynamical behaviour was captured as the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAeronautical journal Vol. 127; no. 1317; pp. 1927 - 1951
Main Authors Flores Salinas, M., Botez, R.M., Tavallaeinejad, M., Païdoussis, M.P.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Cambridge University Press 01.11.2023
Subjects
Alternative energy
Amplitudes
Aspect ratio
Empirical equations
Energy harvesting
Flow velocity
Fluid flow
Kinematics
Oscillations
Renewable resources
Reynolds number
Viscosity
Vortices
Wind speed
Wind tunnels
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Summary:Abstract This paper describes the methodology used to analyse oscillations of foils of a wide range of aspect ratios, 0.5 ≤ AR ≤ 4, and Reynolds numbers, 10 4 ≤ Re ≤ 10 5 , for energy harvesting purposes. The foils were fixed at their trailing edge, and their dynamical behaviour was captured as the wind speed was varied. The foil response was then analysed as a function of velocity, Reynolds number, oscillation amplitude and frequency. Additionally, the forces and moments acting on the foils were measured, utilising an aerodynamic scale, designed and built in-house. An empirical power generation equation was derived to determine the foil characteristics for maximum energy harvesting production. The results show that a flexible foil with AR = 3 with oscillations in the large-amplitude regime is the most effective for energy harvesting.
ISSN:0001-9240
2059-6464
DOI:10.1017/aer.2023.46